His daughter Mia Tyler seems to think so. The Aerosmith front man’s doting daughter made some comments about her dad outshining the other judges.

“He’s the funniest man I know. He’s saving the show because it was kind of boring before. There’s only so many times you can watch Simon be mean to people,” she said.

Steven Tyler is no Simon Cowell but he definitely has had some of his “mean moments.” As far as him saving the show, I don’t know about that just yet. The Idol judges seem to work because they have better chemistry than the Simon, Paula and Randy combination but there’s no one judge who is out shining the other. We’re also in a weird phase right now with regard to Idol because this is the beginning, when the ratings are guaranteed to be super high. Most people are watching just to see the sad individuals who come out in droves to audition that have no business trying to sing.

Do you think Steven Tyler is saving the tenth season of Idol?

So now that we got the Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler as new American Idol judges hype out of the way, let’s talk about why we miss Simon Cowell. Don’t get me wrong, Lopez and Tyler have been entertaining but the energy that Simon Cowell brought to the show, without even trying, was amazing. The thing with Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson together is that they’re all a lot more human. And while that’s great, you still need at least one jerk–not someone who tries to hard to be sardonic but someone who is just naturally a cynic, like Simon. The new judges seem genuine enough but Simon Cowell’s absence is glaring. Here are three reasons why we miss him on the show already:
1. Smugness

Simon embodied that stereotypically British rigid smug attitude to a t, which is what made the auditions funny before they even started. As soon as contestants walked into the room you could feel him silently judging them. He never had to try to be a personality because his wry persona was enough to make his presence known in a unique way.

2. Unpredictability

While most people try to be insulting, Simon Cowell was naturally so. It’s almost like he was born that way. But what was great about that trait was that you never knew what was going to come out of his mouth, even when the singers were good. That element of suspense was a nice addition to the panel.
3. Brash Honesty

Steven Tyler has stepped up to the plate this season in terms of no holds barred honesty but he’s not as effective as Simon because it’s almost like he’s joking. Simon’s thing was he’d be honest, insulting and he meant it. Being mean isn’t always the best way to get a message across but in the case of talentless people who think they are more talented than they really are (because either they’re just delusional, or family and friends have lied to them for years), sometimes they need it straight with extra emphasis to get the point across.

What do you think of the new judges so far?

American Idol brought us Fantasia Barrino, Rueben Studdard, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, and at least six people I don’t remember.

However, Simon Cowell assures that his latest talent-discovering television project will yield future stars akin to music’s biggest icons.

The Hollywood Reporter on the latest whispers of the American version of The X-Factor:

A slew of marquee names has been thrown around as possible tablemates to Simon Cowell – among them: George Michael, Mariah Carey, Mick Jagger and Noel Gallagher, along with current U.K. judge Cheryl Cole – and Cowell promises all will be revealed in the next month or so, after which we’ll shift our focus to an equally important element in guaranteeing a show’s success: the contestants.

What does Cowell have planned in that department? According to a weekend tweet by Dave Stewart, the songwriter, entrepreneur and one-half of the Eurythmics, it won’t be a Leona Lewis clone or even a Susan Boyle-like phenomenon. “Simon Cowell says X-Factor will discover the new Bob Marley, Bod [sic] Dylan, Thom Yorke, Win Butler, Jack White, Imogen Heap,” wrote Stewart. “Just a matter of time.”

No one of those people would go on a glorified talent show, though. That said, I’m still interested in the show.

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The speculation about who will replace Simon Cowell continues. According to Entertainment Weekly, Nigel Lythgoe, the flippant judge from So You Think You Can Dance (and former American Idol executive producer) was in talks with Fox about joining Idol’s judging panel.

Entertainment Weekly also says a Fox spokeswoman would not comment on the possibility of Lythgoe returning to the show in any capacity, which largely echoes what Fox Entertainment Chairman Peter Rice told TV reporters on Monday in Beverly Hills. Though Rice conceded that “much of the information that has been written is accurate,” he also said that “no one has signed a deal on either side of the camera who wasn’t on the show last year.” Fox has given no specific timetable for when it will announce replacements for Simon Cowell and Ellen DeGeneres, other than to say the judges are needed on the show by mid-September.

It’s appropriate that the folks at Fox would let speculation about the replacement judge rage amid uncertainty, especially since ratings are down (side eye). It wouldn’t be surprising if Cowell’s replacement wasn’t announced until the day season 10 premiered.

Lythgoe would just be a Simon Cowell knock-off. They need someone who brings that same type of honesty and cynicism but not a complete carbon copy.

Who are your candidates for a Simon Cowell replacement? Diddy is perfect, but he’s too busy being an artist.

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Ellen DeGeneres has stepped down from her role as judge on American Idol (insert sad face here) after only serving one season of a multiseason deal. DeGeneres joined the panel last season but according to Fox, American Idol producers felt like it wasn’t the right fit for her.

“I told them I wouldn’t leave them in a bind and that I would hold off on doing anything until they were able to figure out where they wanted to take the panel next. It was a difficult decision to make, but my work schedule became more than I bargained for. I also realized this season that while I love discovering, supporting and nurturing young talent, it was hard for me to judge people and sometimes hurt their feelings. I loved the experience working on Idol and I am very grateful for the year I had. I am a huge fan of the show and will continue to be,” said DeGeneres.

Fox released a statement of its own: “We love Ellen and understand and support her decision to bow out of Idol,” said Peter Rice, Chairman of Entertainment, Fox Networks Group. “We were fortunate to receive the humor, energy and love for talent that she brought to the show.”

Hours after knowledge of DeGereneres’ departure became public, news broke that Jennifer Lopez has signed a deal to join Idol’s judging panel for the upcoming season.

Lopez served as an Idol mentor on Latin night during the show’s sixth season. She got mostly positive reviews for her warm, candid style, and her ability to extract a not entirely terrible performance of Sanjaya Malakar’s version of “Bésame Mucho.”

Ellen D will definitely be missed but in the words of my fellow scribe, Michael Arceneaux, “Jennifer Lopez was always the 90s answer to Paula Abdul anyway,” so doesn’t it make sense that she’d step up to the plate?

The real curve ball is going to come when Simon Cowell’s replacement is announced. Who should that be?

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Simon Cowell bid farewell to American Idol but the million dollar question is: Who will replace him? People have tossed around names like Diddy, Jamie Foxx and even Bret Michaels, but it’s all just speculation. However, despite not knowing who will feel the void, we can take solace in knowing who WON’T be stepping in for Cowell! Here’s a list of, er, interesting individuals who won’t be seeing Idol judge-ship ever.

George W. Bush

Given his track record for asinine quotes, he’d probably be great for TV when it comes to his feedback. But the problem is, his attention span will  check out faster than a rehab patient.

Kat Stacks

The Miami based groupie has made a name for herself online by spreading sordid tales of her affairs with various celebrities. One of her specialties is trash talking rappers’ music and she also claims to have a book deal and a reality TV show in the works, however, we doubt that she’ll transcend beyond her internet “celebrity” status. It also doesn’t help that she speaks incoherent English (and probably any other language, for that matter).

Kanye West

He won’t let performers finish.

Flavor Flav

His catch phrases would probably be cool and he has proven to have surprisingly good musical insight, but can anyone take a viking hat giant clock wearing 50-something-year-old man seriously as a judge for anything beyond a contest at a child’s birthday party?

Tila Tequila

Just listen to her awful remake of Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song,” then…cue the crickets.

American Idol‘s ninth season ended with a star-studded bang last night in a live telecast from the Nokia Theatre, in Los Angeles. Lee Dewyze was crowned the winner, which was a surprise. Crystal Bowersox seemed to be poised to win for most of season nine Dewyze stepped it up toward the end and claimed his victory. Are you surprised that Dewyze won over Bowersox?

The star-studded evening was also special because it was Simon Cowell’s last episode as a judge. There were guest performances by Christina Aguilera, Alanis Morissette, Carrie Underwood, Bret Michaels, and more, including several other Idol alumni (including seven out of eight former winners) paying tribute to Cowell.

Last night’s top highlights were:
- Crystal Bowersox and Alanis Morissette singing “You Oughta Know.” That was a classic Idol moment and so perfect for Bowersox. It’s one of the coolest Idol/celebrity match ups that I’ve ever seen because it was so on point.

- The Janet Jackson medley, plus her short hair and black catsuit. All of American Idol’s top 12 ninth-season finalists participated in the finale in a medley of a few songs, that also included “Again.” Janet Jackson eventually took center stage to sing her balled, “Nothing” and she capped it off with her classic hit, “Nasty.” Oh, and…that black catsuit and her short hair…she looked hot!

- Bret Michaels singing “Every Rose.” I’ve loved that song since childhood and it never gets old. But seeing him perform after all that he has been through lately was inspirational.

There were definitely a lot more moments to enjoy and MTV put them together in a montage.  Enjoy:

What were some of your favorite moments last night?

Word on the street is that Paula Abdul will return to American Idol for this season’s finale episode. Idol’s last episode will be big not just because we find out who wins but because it will also be a tribute episode to Simon Cowell, who is ending his run as the snarky judge people loved to hate.

Details about the finale are still mum as producers have done a good job of not leaking who will be performing, and the Paula Abdul appearance hasn’t been confirmed either. However, that’s a rumor worth believing.

In case you haven’t already checked out during this snoretastic season, the final two are Lee Dewyze and Crystal Bowersox.

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Eighties pop star Sinitta (no, I haven’t a clue as to what she sang either) recently hinted that Mariah Carey might be interested in joining Simon Cowell’s post-Idol TV project, the US version of hit UK series, The X-Factor.

Sinitta is good friends with Cowell and says he’s still debating on who should sit with him on the judging panel.

She was recently quoted saying:

“I think he’s still working it out. He’s still looking at slides of different people’s profiles and different personalities, A-list celebrities. It’s very exciting and I was like: ‘Oh my God, yes, they’ll be great! Oh my God! Oh my God!’ But I kind of wanted everyone.’”

When asked just who is interested:

“’People who are interested?’ Oh I’m not allowed to say. It’s amazing how many people want to do it. Everybody from Mariah [Carey]… okay I’m not saying any more! Lots of people want to do it.”

Don’t you hate people who bring up stuff only to back out of it?

In any event, already some have argued that if Mariah took this job it’s a sign that her career is faltering.

I find that to be nonsense.

She’s still a viable artist and has reenergized her acting career. If she took the job all she would be doing is adding what looks to be a highly coveted spot on a potentially high rated program under her belt.

Where was Paula Abdul before Idol? Imagine what someone who can still manage a hit without the aid of a cartoon cat (no offense, Paula, I liked “Crazy Cool” even if not many others did) can do with that publicity?

If Mariah signs on to this show I’m automatically more interested in it than American Idol.

Would you be, too?

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VIBE caught up with Ruben Studdard to get his thoughts on the latest season of American Idol. He talked about Diddy replacing Simon Cowell and this season’s talent.

As far as the obvious comparisons between Studdard and this season’s Michael Lynche, Studdard says it’s only because they’re both big black guys (you know we all look alike) . He has a point, their sound is different. But don’t think that Studdard is checking for Lynche to win. While he thinks all the contestants who make it to that last few weeks have a good shot at successful music careers, his favorite is Casey James, but he wouldn’t give a definite yay or nay as far as who he wants to be the champ. All he said was not to criticize until the last three weeks (which puts us at now).

When it comes to Simon Cowell leaving, Studdard understands it’s going to be hard to replace him but said this about Diddy:

“Diddy would be a good fit because he has that no nonsense attitude when he’s picking artists but it’s still going to be a hard spot to fill.”

That would be interesting to watch but Diddy probably wouldn’t be able to commit to a whole season because of his own busy schedule and possibly conflict of interest, with Making the Band (if that show ever comes back).

Is Ruben Studdard right?  Is Casey James worthy of being an Idol favorite? Does he have a good shot at winning? Would Diddy be a good Simon Cowell replacement?

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